Chipset and device leaders are lagging on development of the white space opportunity, even though it could provide a major spur to the M2M market.

The finding comes from new research published by Strategy Analytics, which urges Google (Mountain View, CA, USA) and Microsoft (Seattle, WA, USA) to recruit device and chipset giants to support their white space efforts.

White space spectrum comprises frequencies that are being freed up with the transition from old analog TV broadcasting to new digital systems.

These are deemed very suitable for certain types of M2M service as well as for providing broadband connectivity in rural and hard-to-serve areas.

Strategy Analytics acknowledges that white space use is moving forwards in the US and the UK, but it says more work is needed to broaden the ecosystem.

Both Google and Microsoft have been highly active in white space efforts aimed at supporting affordable and ubiquitous broadband connectivity, as they look to extend their service portfolios, but other technology companies have given little attention to the opportunity.

“Both Microsoft and Google have been designated white space database administrators by the FCC,” said Susan Welsh de Grimaldo, director of wireless networks and platforms for Strategy Analytics. “Operating the database and the value added services over the database should create new prospects for both parties.”

She adds that Microsoft and Google can steer device technology in a direction beneficial to their white space ambitions and thereby further the cause of TV white space development.

Strategy Analytics also acknowledged the work done by the UK’s Neul (Cambridge) to develop white space for M2M usage.

“The standard addressing the white space solution for M2M is being developed by Weightless, an industry forum mainly backed by Neul, a startup company for white space solutions,” said Guang Yang, a senior analyst with Strategy Analytics.

“To address the potential markets, the TV white space community needs to speed up the development of the ecosystem, particularly to involve more big-name chipset and device players in the community,” she said.